Former President Donald Trump said Saturday that “illegal leaks” had indicated that he would be arrested Tuesday and called on supporters to protest. Trump, in posts on his social media platform Truth Social, referred to reports that he could soon face possible criminal charges in New York relating to a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

Trump predicts arrest, pushes provocative line on 'protests'

Trump predicts he will be arrested in Stormy Daniels probe, calls for protests

Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday said that he expects to be arrested on Tuesday. He has further called on his supporters to protest as the prosecutors consider changes over a hush money payment to a porn star. Meanwhile, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has said that the arrest would mean a landslide victory for the former U.S. President in the 2024 presidential race.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump says he expects to be arrested

The grand jury probing the Donald Trump-Stormy Daniels case may reach a conclusion next week. Reports say the Manhattan district attorney's office has asked for a meeting with local law enforcement. This comes ahead of a possible indictment of former president Donald Trump.

Trump-Daniels hush money case nearing conclusion | World News | WION

Adult movie star Stormy Daniel a.k.a Stephanie Clifford on Wednesday (March 15) met investigators to discuss former US president Donald Trump's role in payment made to her in exchange for silence on sexual claims ahead of the 2016 US Presidential elections.&nbsp;

This comes as Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen was giving the second day of testimony before the New York jury. Cohen is believed to be the person who orchestrated the payment of $130,000. He&nbsp;said that he made a similar kind of payment of&nbsp;$150,000 to Playboy model Karen McDougal on Trump's instructions, Guardian reported.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-book-letters-to-trump-will-show-queen-elizabeth-princess-diana-kissed-my-a-says-donald-trump-572173">Also read |&nbsp;New book 'Letters to Trump' will show Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana 'kissed my a**,' says Donald Trump</a>

In 2018, Cohen was charged with campaign finance crimes and pleaded guilty and served prison terms, however, prosecutors never charged Trump.&nbsp;

Later Wednesday, Cohen said he isn't out for revenge. He said, "This is not about him. This is about holding accountability, truth to power, and everything else in between."

He told federal prosecutors that the company paid him $420,000 to reimburse the payment to Daniels and cover bonuses and other expenses, which were internally shown as legal expenses.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-media-under-federal-investigation-for-possible-money-laundering-report-572399">Also read |&nbsp;Trump media under federal investigation for possible money laundering: Report</a>

Both Daniels and McDougal alleged that they had an affair with Trump which he denied. The Republican leader is seeking nomination for the US presidency in 2024.&nbsp;

The payment was made ahead of Trump's first presidential election campaign when Daniels was negotiating to go public and discuss her alleged sexual encounter with the former president&nbsp;in 2006 while he was married.&nbsp;&nbsp;Answering questions from the Manhattan jury, who are investigating to know whether any state laws were broken in connection with payment, Daniel's attorney confirmed that she is willing to be a witness in the case. She thanked her attorney on Twitter where the post read, "helping me in our continuing fight for truth and justice."

(with inputs from agencies)

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Adult movie star Stormy Daniel a.k.a Stephanie Clifford on Wednesday (March 15) met investigators to discuss former US president Donald Trump's role in payment made to her in exchange for silence on sexual claims ahead of the 2016 US Presidential elections.

Adult movie star Stormy Daniel a.k.a Stephanie Clifford on Wednesday (March 15) met investigators to discuss former US president Donald Trump's role in payment made to her in exchange for silence on sexual claims ahead of the 2016 US Presidential elections. This comes as Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen was giving the second day of testimony before the New York jury. Cohen is believed to be the person who orchestrated the payment of $130,000. He said that he made a similar kind of payment of $150,000 to Playboy model Karen McDougal on Trump's instructions, Guardian reported. Also read | New book 'Letters to Trump' will show Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana 'kissed my a**,' says Donald Trump In 2018, Cohen was charged with campaign finance crimes and pleaded guilty and served prison terms, however, prosecutors never charged Trump. Later Wednesday, Cohen said he isn't out for revenge. He said, "This is not about him. This is about holding accountability, truth to power, and everything else in between." He told federal prosecutors that the company paid him $420,000 to reimburse the payment to Daniels and cover bonuses and other expenses, which were internally shown as legal expenses. Also read | Trump media under federal investigation for possible money laundering: Report Both Daniels and McDougal alleged that they had an affair with Trump which he denied. The Republican leader is seeking nomination for the US presidency in 2024. The payment was made ahead of Trump's first presidential election campaign when Daniels was negotiating to go public and discuss her alleged sexual encounter with the former president in 2006 while he was married. Answering questions from the Manhattan jury, who are investigating to know whether any state laws were broken in connection with payment, Daniel's attorney confirmed that she is willing to be a witness in the case. She thanked her attorney on Twitter where the post read, "helping me in our continuing fight for truth and justice." (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Adult film star Stormy Daniels meets US prosecutors to discuss Donald Trump's role in payment probe

Joseph Tacopina, lawyer of former US president Donald Trump, said on Monday (March 13) that the former president had no plans to participate in the grand jury probe that is investigating the alleged hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels. Tacopina made the revelation in ABC News show "Good Morning America"

Trump faces accusations of paying to Daniels to cover-up a love affair. Trump denies this.

Meanwhile, Michael Cohen, former lawyer of Donald Trump is expected to testify before Manhattan grand jury. He has said that he orchestrated to pay Daniels the money on behalf of the former president.

"This is all about accountability. He needs to be held accountable for his dirty deeds," Cohen said of Trump outside a Manhattan courthouse on his way to the grand jury.

Lanny Davis, Cohen's attorney, confirmed earlier that Cohen was scheduled to testify in the closed door proceeding at 2 p.m. (1800 GMT).

The Manhattan District Attorney's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Grand jury proceedings are not public.

The renewed interest in Stormy Daniels and the $130,000 payment she received before the 2016 presidential election comes at a critical time for Trump, who is running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. Daniels has said she received the payment in exchange for not discussing a sexual liaison with Trump, who denies it happened.

Trump has been given a chance to testify before the grand jury as a person subject to an investigation, Susan Necheles, an attorney for the former president, told Reuters last Thursday, a sign the grand jury may be close to deciding whether to bring criminal charges against him.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Joseph Tacopina, lawyer of former US president Donald Trump, said on Monday (March 13) that the former president had no plans to participate in the grand jury probe that is investigating the alleged hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Joseph Tacopina, lawyer of former US president Donald Trump, said on Monday (March 13) that the former president had no plans to participate in the grand jury probe that is investigating the alleged hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels. Tacopina made the revelation in ABC News show "Good Morning America" Trump faces accusations of paying to Daniels to cover-up a love affair. Trump denies this. Meanwhile, Michael Cohen, former lawyer of Donald Trump is expected to testify before Manhattan grand jury. He has said that he orchestrated to pay Daniels the money on behalf of the former president. "This is all about accountability. He needs to be held accountable for his dirty deeds," Cohen said of Trump outside a Manhattan courthouse on his way to the grand jury. Lanny Davis, Cohen's attorney, confirmed earlier that Cohen was scheduled to testify in the closed door proceeding at 2 p.m. (1800 GMT). The Manhattan District Attorney's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Grand jury proceedings are not public. The renewed interest in Stormy Daniels and the $130,000 payment she received before the 2016 presidential election comes at a critical time for Trump, who is running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. Daniels has said she received the payment in exchange for not discussing a sexual liaison with Trump, who denies it happened. Trump has been given a chance to testify before the grand jury as a person subject to an investigation, Susan Necheles, an attorney for the former president, told Reuters last Thursday, a sign the grand jury may be close to deciding whether to bring criminal charges against him. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Trump has no plans to take part in Stormy Daniels hush money probe: Lawyer

Prosecutors have signaled to trump that he could face criminal charges relating to his alleged role in hush money payments to porn star stormy Daniels. As per the New York Times, Trump was told he could appear before a Manhattan grand jury next week; if he wished to testify. Stormy Daniels says that she had an affair with trump. She claims trump gave her $130,000 before the 2016 election to not discuss the encounter. Trump has maintained that nothing of the sort ever happened, and in 2018, told reporters he knows nothing about any payment made. A grand jury is hearing evidence and criminal charges may follow. A lawyer for trump confirmed to Reuters that Trump had been invited to testify. If Trump is charged, it would mark the first-ever indictment of a former U.S. President. Trump is seeking the Republican nomination for the 2024 election. Trump has been citing a political witch-hunt. He says it is an attempt to take down the leading candidate in the republican party.

Charges likely as Evidence reveals Donald Trump paid Adult Film Star Stormy Daniels for silence

Donald Trump's ex-lawyer Michael Cohen has had porn star Stormy Daniels talk about her alleged tryst with the billionaire on a podcast, four years after he helped buy her silence.

"I know I put you through needless pain," Cohen tells Daniels during their chat, released overnight Monday and Tuesday. "For that I am truly apologetic," he adds.

At the end of the exchange, which lasts almost an hour and a half, Cohen adds: "Thank you for giving me a second chance. I do really appreciate it."

Cohen, Trump's personal lawyer for ten years, was sentenced to three years in prison in 2018 for, among other offenses, paying Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet about her alleged liaison with Trump.

The hush payment, made shortly before the 2016 presidential election, violated campaign finance laws.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/adult-film-star-stormy-daniels-terms-sexual-encounter-with-donald-trump-as-worst-90-seconds-of-her-life-362407" hreflang="en">Adult-film star Stormy Daniels terms sexual encounter with Donald Trump as 'worst 90 seconds' of her life</a>

Cohen, 54, is serving the remainder of his sentence under house arrest in Manhattan due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He has been regularly broadcasting a podcast from his home since September.

In the latest episode, Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, recalls in explicit detail the evening in 2006 when she says she had sex with Trump.

Daniels had already spoken about the alleged incident in a book published in 2018.

"The worst 90 seconds of my life," she told Cohen.

Daniels adds that the publicity has allowed her to earn money and travel "but if I had a magic wand and could go back to the way it was before I would absolutely do that."

"I am probably going to die alone because of this," she told Cohen.

"Being a porn star is hard enough... Who is going to go out with me?" Daniels adds.

Daniels, who has taken a defamation suit against Trump for calling her a liar all the way to the Supreme Court, is expecting a "second wave" of controversy now he is no longer president.

"A lot of the stalling that was happening in my cases was because this had never happened before," she explained, adding that the legal system "didn't know how to do something to a sitting president."

"I believe it's just about to kick off again," she told Cohen.

Donald Trump's ex-lawyer Michael Cohen has had porn star Stormy Daniels talk about her alleged tryst with the billionaire on a podcast, four years after he helped buy her silence.

Donald Trump's ex-lawyer Michael Cohen has had porn star Stormy Daniels talk about her alleged tryst with the billionaire on a podcast, four years after he helped buy her silence. "I know I put you through needless pain," Cohen tells Daniels during their chat, released overnight Monday and Tuesday. "For that I am truly apologetic," he adds. At the end of the exchange, which lasts almost an hour and a half, Cohen adds: "Thank you for giving me a second chance. I do really appreciate it." Cohen, Trump's personal lawyer for ten years, was sentenced to three years in prison in 2018 for, among other offenses, paying Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet about her alleged liaison with Trump. The hush payment, made shortly before the 2016 presidential election, violated campaign finance laws. Also read| Adult-film star Stormy Daniels terms sexual encounter with Donald Trump as 'worst 90 seconds' of her life Cohen, 54, is serving the remainder of his sentence under house arrest in Manhattan due to the coronavirus pandemic. He has been regularly broadcasting a podcast from his home since September. In the latest episode, Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, recalls in explicit detail the evening in 2006 when she says she had sex with Trump. Daniels had already spoken about the alleged incident in a book published in 2018. "The worst 90 seconds of my life," she told Cohen. Daniels adds that the publicity has allowed her to earn money and travel "but if I had a magic wand and could go back to the way it was before I would absolutely do that." "I am probably going to die alone because of this," she told Cohen. "Being a porn star is hard enough... Who is going to go out with me?" Daniels adds. Daniels, who has taken a defamation suit against Trump for calling her a liar all the way to the Supreme Court, is expecting a "second wave" of controversy now he is no longer president. "A lot of the stalling that was happening in my cases was because this had never happened before," she explained, adding that the legal system "didn't know how to do something to a sitting president." "I believe it's just about to kick off again," she told Cohen.

Trump's ex-lawyer apologizes to porn star Stormy Daniels

Former US President Donald Trump's attorney Michael Cohen has apologised to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels for the pain he caused her while working with Trump.&nbsp;

The two sat down for a chat for Cohen's podcast 'Mea Culpa' recently and talked about Trump and Daniel's brief relationship before he became the President of the US. 
 
"Both of our stories will be forever linked with Donald Trump, but also with one another," Cohen said to Daniels. "Thanks for giving me a second chance," he said. 
 
Daniels was infamously paid USD 130,000 by Cohen just before the 2016 election to keep mum about<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pornstar-stormy-daniels-lawyer-confirms-her-affair-with-donald-trump-35037"> her alleged affair with Trump</a>. In later interviews, Daniel stated how she regretted her links with Trump and added that if she could make everything go back to the way it was before, "I would absolutely do that." 
 
During the podcast interview, Daniels stated that she did not feel "physically threatened" by Trump but maintained that she did not want to sleep with him because he made her "very uncomfortable." 
 
Recalling her 2006 sexual encounter with Trump, Daniel described the time as, "the worst 90 seconds of my life, for sure, because it just made me hate myself." 
 
Daniels has sued Trump for defamation after he denied the affair and the hush-money that his team had paid her.&nbsp;"I've already lost everything, so I'm taking it all the way," she told Cohen during the hour-long interview.&nbsp;

Trump and Daniel reportedly had an affair a few months after former First Lady Melania Trump gave birth to Barron. 
 
Federal prosecutors charged <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stormy-daniels-case-should-be-settled-privately-trump-lawyer-128115">Michael Cohen</a> with skirting campaign contribution rules by arranging the hush-money payment to Daniels and a similar payment to Playboy model Karen McDougal. 
 
He pleaded guilty to both counts - as well as lying to Congress and tax evasion - and was sentenced to three years in federal prison.

Former US President Donald Trump's attorney Michael Cohen has apologised to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels for the pain he caused her while working with Trump.

Former US President Donald Trump's attorney Michael Cohen has apologised to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels for the pain he caused her while working with Trump. The two sat down for a chat for Cohen's podcast 'Mea Culpa' recently and talked about Trump and Daniel's brief relationship before he became the President of the US. "Both of our stories will be forever linked with Donald Trump, but also with one another," Cohen said to Daniels. "Thanks for giving me a second chance," he said. Daniels was infamously paid USD 130,000 by Cohen just before the 2016 election to keep mum about her alleged affair with Trump. In later interviews, Daniel stated how she regretted her links with Trump and added that if she could make everything go back to the way it was before, "I would absolutely do that." During the podcast interview, Daniels stated that she did not feel "physically threatened" by Trump but maintained that she did not want to sleep with him because he made her "very uncomfortable." Recalling her 2006 sexual encounter with Trump, Daniel described the time as, "the worst 90 seconds of my life, for sure, because it just made me hate myself." Daniels has sued Trump for defamation after he denied the affair and the hush-money that his team had paid her. "I've already lost everything, so I'm taking it all the way," she told Cohen during the hour-long interview. Trump and Daniel reportedly had an affair a few months after former First Lady Melania Trump gave birth to Barron. Federal prosecutors charged Michael Cohen with skirting campaign contribution rules by arranging the hush-money payment to Daniels and a similar payment to Playboy model Karen McDougal. He pleaded guilty to both counts - as well as lying to Congress and tax evasion - and was sentenced to three years in federal prison.

Adult-film star Stormy Daniels terms sexual encounter with Donald Trump as 'worst 90 seconds' of her life

He may be out of office, But <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump </a>is certainly not out of troubles.

The cloak of protection afforded by the presidency is largely gone.

It has been just two days and his rivals seem to be lining up for a shot.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is insistent on Trump's impeachment trial with the proceedings beginning on December 25 in Senate.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-to-be-sent-to-senate-on-january-25-358667">Trump impeachment to be sent to Senate on January 25</a>

Attorneys in New York are investigating his business dealings and add that they will stop at nothing in pressing charges against private citizen Trump.

The district attorneys in Manhattan are reportedly investigating Trump's hush-money payout to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-suspends-account-linked-to-khameneis-website-clarifies-its-fake-and-not-his-358646">Twitter suspends account linked to Khamenei's website, clarifies it's fake and not his</a>

Several commercial banks, including Trump's biggest lender Deutsche Bank have indicated that they no longer want to do business with him.

In Georgia, prosecutors are planning to open a criminal investigation against the former president over his attempts to overturn the results of the presidential election in the state.

<h2>Threat to life</h2>

There seems to be a threat to his life as well from Iran.&nbsp;

Last year, Trump had said that the US has killed the "number one terrorist" in the world after Iran's top general Qasem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike in Iraq.&nbsp;

Iran has not forgotten its revered general's assassination and wants to take revenge against now civilian Trump.&nbsp;

The official Twitter account of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei posted an image which showed a golfer, resembling Trump playing golf and a drone is hovering over him.&nbsp;

The caption said: "revenge is certain".&nbsp;

There has been no comment from Iran, but the threat cannot be downplayed.

This is not the first time that something similar to this has happened and two weeks back, the Chief Justice of Iran Ebrahim had warned, saying: "those who had a role in this assassination and crime will not be safe on earth".&nbsp;

"Do not presume that someone, as the president of America, who appeared as a murderer or ordered a murder, may be immune from justice being carried out," he had said.&nbsp;

Trump has extended secret service protection to his family as well, including his four adult children and two of their spouses.&nbsp;

Right before he left office, the former Republican president issued a directive to extend post-presidency secret service protection to his children.

Under the country's federal law, Trump, his wife Melania and their 14-year-old son Baron are the only people entitled to secret service protection.

But Trump wanted everybody covered, and given the threats from iran, the high-security makes sense.&nbsp;

He may be out of office, But Donald Trump is certainly not out of troubles. The cloak of protection afforded by the presidency is largely gone. It has been just two days and his rivals seem to be lining up for a shot.

He may be out of office, But Donald Trump is certainly not out of troubles. The cloak of protection afforded by the presidency is largely gone. It has been just two days and his rivals seem to be lining up for a shot. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is insistent on Trump's impeachment trial with the proceedings beginning on December 25 in Senate. Also read | Trump impeachment to be sent to Senate on January 25 Attorneys in New York are investigating his business dealings and add that they will stop at nothing in pressing charges against private citizen Trump. The district attorneys in Manhattan are reportedly investigating Trump's hush-money payout to porn star Stormy Daniels. Also read | Twitter suspends account linked to Khamenei's website, clarifies it's fake and not his Several commercial banks, including Trump's biggest lender Deutsche Bank have indicated that they no longer want to do business with him. In Georgia, prosecutors are planning to open a criminal investigation against the former president over his attempts to overturn the results of the presidential election in the state. Threat to life There seems to be a threat to his life as well from Iran. Last year, Trump had said that the US has killed the "number one terrorist" in the world after Iran's top general Qasem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike in Iraq. Iran has not forgotten its revered general's assassination and wants to take revenge against now civilian Trump. The official Twitter account of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei posted an image which showed a golfer, resembling Trump playing golf and a drone is hovering over him. The caption said: "revenge is certain". There has been no comment from Iran, but the threat cannot be downplayed. This is not the first time that something similar to this has happened and two weeks back, the Chief Justice of Iran Ebrahim had warned, saying: "those who had a role in this assassination and crime will not be safe on earth". "Do not presume that someone, as the president of America, who appeared as a murderer or ordered a murder, may be immune from justice being carried out," he had said. Trump has extended secret service protection to his family as well, including his four adult children and two of their spouses. Right before he left office, the former Republican president issued a directive to extend post-presidency secret service protection to his children. Under the country's federal law, Trump, his wife Melania and their 14-year-old son Baron are the only people entitled to secret service protection. But Trump wanted everybody covered, and given the threats from iran, the high-security makes sense.

Donald Trump is out of office, but his troubles keep on piling up

A California court has asked Donald Trump to keep his end of the deal and pay the $44,100 to Stormy Daniels as her a compensation of her legal fees that she had to pay to fight Trump over the hush money case.

Stormy Daniels is a porn actress who was, reportedly, offered hush money to keep her quiet about the sexual relationship between the actress and the US President a decade before his 2016 Presidential elections.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Yup. Another win! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/teamstormy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#teamstormy</a> <a href="https://t.co/1sBUWsA5tc">https://t.co/1sBUWsA5tc</a>
— Stormy Daniels (@StormyDaniels) <a href="https://twitter.com/StormyDaniels/status/1296881100581740546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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An agreement was made between Daniesl and Trump 11 days before the 2016&nbsp;Presidential elections in which it was decided that the losing party would pay the legal fees. After Trump's election as the President, Daniels sued to void the agreement using her legal name&nbsp;Stephanie Clifford.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-ex-laywer-michael-cohen-to-publish-book-against-trump-while-serving-sentence-at-home-317155">Also read:&nbsp;Trump's ex-laywer, Michael Cohen, to publish book against Trump while serving sentence at home</a>

Now as Daniels won her case against Trump,&nbsp;Judge Robert Broadbelt III said Trump will have to pay up her legal fees now, as Trump had lost the case, even though his lawyers claimed the opposite of it. His lawyers argued over the fact that Daniels was unable to prove the President's involvement in the case which was made under the pseudonym&nbsp;David Dennison. However, Broadbelt said there was enough evidence suggesting that Trump's ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen, had used the&nbsp;pseudonym for Donald Trump.

Michael Cohen had esrlier reportedly paid $130,000 to Daniels which he and Trump's supporters had profusely declined. However, tables turned when trump, in May 2018, took to twitter to claim that he had already reimbursed Cohen the money he paid to Daniels.

A California court has asked Donald Trump to keep his end of the deal and pay the $44,100 to Stormy Daniels as her a compensation of her legal fees that she had to pay to fight Trump over the hush money case.

A California court has asked Donald Trump to keep his end of the deal and pay the $44,100 to Stormy Daniels as her a compensation of her legal fees that she had to pay to fight Trump over the hush money case. Stormy Daniels is a porn actress who was, reportedly, offered hush money to keep her quiet about the sexual relationship between the actress and the US President a decade before his 2016 Presidential elections. Yup. Another win! #teamstormy https://t.co/1sBUWsA5tc — Stormy Daniels (@StormyDaniels) August 21, 2020 × An agreement was made between Daniesl and Trump 11 days before the 2016 Presidential elections in which it was decided that the losing party would pay the legal fees. After Trump's election as the President, Daniels sued to void the agreement using her legal name Stephanie Clifford. Also read: Trump's ex-laywer, Michael Cohen, to publish book against Trump while serving sentence at home Now as Daniels won her case against Trump, Judge Robert Broadbelt III said Trump will have to pay up her legal fees now, as Trump had lost the case, even though his lawyers claimed the opposite of it. His lawyers argued over the fact that Daniels was unable to prove the President's involvement in the case which was made under the pseudonym David Dennison. However, Broadbelt said there was enough evidence suggesting that Trump's ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen, had used the pseudonym for Donald Trump. Michael Cohen had esrlier reportedly paid $130,000 to Daniels which he and Trump's supporters had profusely declined. However, tables turned when trump, in May 2018, took to twitter to claim that he had already reimbursed Cohen the money he paid to Daniels.

'Another win': Stormy Daniels to be paid $44,100 by Trump as compensation of legal fees

In a major verdict, the US Supreme Court today ruled that President Donald Trump must hand over his tax returns.

The Supreme Court, however, temporarily blocked the US Congress from accessing Trump's financial records. The top court gave the verdict 7-2 against the US president asserting that he did not have absolute immunity from criminal investigation.

"Two hundred years ago, a great jurist of our Court established that no citizen, not even the President, is categorically above the common duty to produce evidence when called upon in a criminal proceeding," it said, adding."We reaffirm that principle today."

Trump hit back calling the verdict: "prosecutorial misconduct".

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POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1281260329247399936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"This is all a political prosecution, now I have to keep fighting in a politically corrupt New York. Not fair to this Presidency or administration, the US president lamented.

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The Supreme Court sends case back to Lower Court, arguments to continue. This is all a political prosecution. I won the Mueller Witch Hunt, and others, and now I have to keep fighting in a politically corrupt New York. Not fair to this Presidency or Administration!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1281236214646034432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi said that the party will press for financial records to be handed over to Congress asserting that the party "will continue to press our case in the lower courts."

Trump had promised to release his tax returns during the 2016 presidential campaign but has since refused to give details. The US president is not mandated to reveal his personal finances.

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PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1281209521675874304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The case was brought by Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance, a Democrat who has been investigating &nbsp;Trump's financial records in connection with an alleged payment made to porn actress Stormy Daniels.

Trump has called the verdict a "political witchhunt" and has maintained that he has done nothing wrong.

"Courts in the past have given “broad deference”. but not me," Trump fumed on Twitter, adding, "I won the Mueller witch hunt and others, and now I have to keep fighting in a politically corrupt New York. Not fair to this presidency or administration!" 
&nbsp;

In a major verdict, the US Supreme Court today ruled that President Donald Trump must hand over his tax returns. The Supreme Court, however, temporarily blocked the US Congress from accessing Trump's financial records.

In a major verdict, the US Supreme Court today ruled that President Donald Trump must hand over his tax returns. The Supreme Court, however, temporarily blocked the US Congress from accessing Trump's financial records. The top court gave the verdict 7-2 against the US president asserting that he did not have absolute immunity from criminal investigation. "Two hundred years ago, a great jurist of our Court established that no citizen, not even the President, is categorically above the common duty to produce evidence when called upon in a criminal proceeding," it said, adding."We reaffirm that principle today." Trump hit back calling the verdict: "prosecutorial misconduct". POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2020 × "This is all a political prosecution, now I have to keep fighting in a politically corrupt New York. Not fair to this Presidency or administration, the US president lamented. The Supreme Court sends case back to Lower Court, arguments to continue. This is all a political prosecution. I won the Mueller Witch Hunt, and others, and now I have to keep fighting in a politically corrupt New York. Not fair to this Presidency or Administration! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2020 × Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi said that the party will press for financial records to be handed over to Congress asserting that the party "will continue to press our case in the lower courts." Trump had promised to release his tax returns during the 2016 presidential campaign but has since refused to give details. The US president is not mandated to reveal his personal finances. PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2020 × The case was brought by Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance, a Democrat who has been investigating Trump's financial records in connection with an alleged payment made to porn actress Stormy Daniels. Trump has called the verdict a "political witchhunt" and has maintained that he has done nothing wrong. "Courts in the past have given “broad deference”. but not me," Trump fumed on Twitter, adding, "I won the Mueller witch hunt and others, and now I have to keep fighting in a politically corrupt New York. Not fair to this presidency or administration!"

US Supreme Court orders release of Trump's tax returns; president calls it 'political witch hunt'

FBI documents unsealed on Thursday suggest that Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;was actively involved in engineering a hush-money payment shortly before the 2016 election to a porn actress who said she had a sexual encounter with him, as his personal lawyer Michael Cohen, campaign team and others scrambled to head off a scandal.

The documents, released on the orders of US&nbsp;District Judge William Pauley in Manhattan, were used by law enforcement officials to obtain a 2018 search warrant that led to FBI raids on Cohen's home and office.

The documents provided the most extensive account to date of what appears to be then-candidate&nbsp;Trump's personal involvement in the scheme to pay $130,000 to porn star Stormy Daniels to avert a controversy for a campaign already reeling from the release of 2005 audio from the TV programme "Access Hollywood" in which&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;bragged about grabbing women by the genitals.

The documents detailed repeated communications between&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and Cohen and Hope Hicks,&nbsp;Trump's presidential campaign press secretary who later became a senior White House official.

The White House and a lawyer for Hicks did not respond to a request for comment on the documents.

Cohen, 52, pleaded guilty in August 2018 to violating campaign finance law by directing the payment to Daniels as well as another payment of $150,000 to Playboy model Karen McDougal shortly before the election.

Both women have said they had sexual encounters with&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;more than a decade ago and that the money was meant to buy their silence.&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;has denied the encounters and in 2018 told reporters he knew nothing about a payment to Daniels.

The newly unredacted material includes a 19-page section of the FBI's search warrant application with the heading: "The Illegal Campaign Contribution Scheme." It shows Cohen having multiple interactions with&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and&nbsp;Trump's campaign staff as Cohen was negotiating the payoff with Daniels' lawyer and executives of American Media Inc, publisher of the National Enquirer tabloid newspaper.

A lawyer for AMI did not respond to a request for comment on the documents.

The National Enquirer's publisher had offered to help&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;by buying rights to unflattering stories and never publishing them.

Before the payoff negotiations began, Cohen spoke on the phone with&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;approximately once a month and rarely had phone contact with&nbsp;Trump's presidential campaign staff, the search warrant application said. The FBI documents do not provide the content of the calls.

Beginning on Oct. 8, there was a sharp uptick in calls with&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and his campaign staff. That evening - a month before the election and in the immediate aftermath of the "Access Hollywood" tape that caused a political firestorm and prompted a rare apology from&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;- Hicks, Cohen and&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;held a three-way phone call lasting more than four minutes, the FBI document said.

Over the course of the evening, Cohen had several calls with Hicks, AMI President David Pecker, a friend of&nbsp;Trump, and Dylan Howard, AMI's chief content officer, before calling&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;back for eight minutes. The FBI documents do not provide the content of the calls.

Later that evening, Howard then sent Cohen a text message: "Keith will do it," the message said, in an apparent reference to Keith Davidson, a lawyer for Daniels who would end up receiving the $130,000 payment for Daniels from Cohen later that month. "Let's reconvene tomorrow."

The next day, Howard connected Cohen and Davidson in a text message to begin the payoff negotiations, the document stated.

Hicks testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee earlier this year that she was never present for any discussion during the campaign between&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and Cohen about Daniels.

The chairman of the House judiciary panel, Jerrold Nadler, in a letter to Hicks released publicly on Thursday, demanded that she return to Capitol Hill before Aug. 15 to explain the inconsistencies in her testimony.

'Inescapable conclusion'

Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement that the documents demonstrate&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;was "intimately involved in devising and executing a corrupt scheme" to keep the Daniels matter secret.

"The inescapable conclusion from all of the public materials available now," Schiff added, "is that there was ample evidence to charge Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;with the same criminal election law violations for which Michael Cohen pled guilty and is now serving time in prison."

The documents show that Hicks spoke with Cohen several times about the importance of keeping the Daniels and McDougal stories from "gaining national traction."

Not long after the Wall Street Journal published an article online four days before the Nov. 8 election, the documents showed Cohen sent a text message to Hicks saying the article was getting "little to no traction," prompting her to respond: "Same. Keep praying!! It's working!"

On the same day as that text, Howard texted Cohen about the Wall Street Journal story, saying, "I think it'll be ok pal. I think it'll fade into the distance," the documents showed. Cohen responded, "He's pissed," an apparent reference to&nbsp;Trump, according to the documents.

Cohen, who was once&nbsp;Trump's self-described "fixer," began serving a three-year prison sentence in May for his campaign finance violations and other crimes, including making false statements to a bank and tax evasion.

In a statement released from prison on Thursday, Cohen reiterated his previous comments about&nbsp;Trump's central role in the hush money scheme, referring to the president's company in saying, "I and members of The&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;Organization were directed by Mr.&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;to handle the Stormy Daniels matter; including making the hush money payment."

Cohen pleaded guilty last November to separate charges brought by the office of former Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who was investigating contacts between&nbsp;Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia. Cohen admitted he lied to Congress about the extent of contacts between&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and Russians during the campaign.

The judge on Wednesday said there was no reason to keep the documents secret after prosecutors told him that their investigation into the payments had ended.

FBI documents unsealed on Thursday suggest that Donald Trump was actively involved in engineering a hush-money payment shortly before the 2016 election to a porn actress who said she had a sexual encounter with him, as his personal lawyer Michael Cohen, campaign team and others scrambled to head off a scandal.

FBI documents unsealed on Thursday suggest that Donald Trump was actively involved in engineering a hush-money payment shortly before the 2016 election to a porn actress who said she had a sexual encounter with him, as his personal lawyer Michael Cohen, campaign team and others scrambled to head off a scandal. The documents, released on the orders of US District Judge William Pauley in Manhattan, were used by law enforcement officials to obtain a 2018 search warrant that led to FBI raids on Cohen's home and office. The documents provided the most extensive account to date of what appears to be then-candidate Trump's personal involvement in the scheme to pay $130,000 to porn star Stormy Daniels to avert a controversy for a campaign already reeling from the release of 2005 audio from the TV programme "Access Hollywood" in which Trump bragged about grabbing women by the genitals. The documents detailed repeated communications between Trump and Cohen and Hope Hicks, Trump's presidential campaign press secretary who later became a senior White House official. The White House and a lawyer for Hicks did not respond to a request for comment on the documents. Cohen, 52, pleaded guilty in August 2018 to violating campaign finance law by directing the payment to Daniels as well as another payment of $150,000 to Playboy model Karen McDougal shortly before the election. Both women have said they had sexual encounters with Trump more than a decade ago and that the money was meant to buy their silence. Trump has denied the encounters and in 2018 told reporters he knew nothing about a payment to Daniels. The newly unredacted material includes a 19-page section of the FBI's search warrant application with the heading: "The Illegal Campaign Contribution Scheme." It shows Cohen having multiple interactions with Trump and Trump's campaign staff as Cohen was negotiating the payoff with Daniels' lawyer and executives of American Media Inc, publisher of the National Enquirer tabloid newspaper. A lawyer for AMI did not respond to a request for comment on the documents. The National Enquirer's publisher had offered to help Trump by buying rights to unflattering stories and never publishing them. Before the payoff negotiations began, Cohen spoke on the phone with Trump approximately once a month and rarely had phone contact with Trump's presidential campaign staff, the search warrant application said. The FBI documents do not provide the content of the calls. Beginning on Oct. 8, there was a sharp uptick in calls with Trump and his campaign staff. That evening - a month before the election and in the immediate aftermath of the "Access Hollywood" tape that caused a political firestorm and prompted a rare apology from Trump - Hicks, Cohen and Trump held a three-way phone call lasting more than four minutes, the FBI document said. Over the course of the evening, Cohen had several calls with Hicks, AMI President David Pecker, a friend of Trump, and Dylan Howard, AMI's chief content officer, before calling Trump back for eight minutes. The FBI documents do not provide the content of the calls. Later that evening, Howard then sent Cohen a text message: "Keith will do it," the message said, in an apparent reference to Keith Davidson, a lawyer for Daniels who would end up receiving the $130,000 payment for Daniels from Cohen later that month. "Let's reconvene tomorrow." The next day, Howard connected Cohen and Davidson in a text message to begin the payoff negotiations, the document stated. Hicks testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee earlier this year that she was never present for any discussion during the campaign between Trump and Cohen about Daniels. The chairman of the House judiciary panel, Jerrold Nadler, in a letter to Hicks released publicly on Thursday, demanded that she return to Capitol Hill before Aug. 15 to explain the inconsistencies in her testimony. 'Inescapable conclusion' Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement that the documents demonstrate Trump was "intimately involved in devising and executing a corrupt scheme" to keep the Daniels matter secret. "The inescapable conclusion from all of the public materials available now," Schiff added, "is that there was ample evidence to charge Donald Trump with the same criminal election law violations for which Michael Cohen pled guilty and is now serving time in prison." The documents show that Hicks spoke with Cohen several times about the importance of keeping the Daniels and McDougal stories from "gaining national traction." Not long after the Wall Street Journal published an article online four days before the Nov. 8 election, the documents showed Cohen sent a text message to Hicks saying the article was getting "little to no traction," prompting her to respond: "Same. Keep praying!! It's working!" On the same day as that text, Howard texted Cohen about the Wall Street Journal story, saying, "I think it'll be ok pal. I think it'll fade into the distance," the documents showed. Cohen responded, "He's pissed," an apparent reference to Trump, according to the documents. Cohen, who was once Trump's self-described "fixer," began serving a three-year prison sentence in May for his campaign finance violations and other crimes, including making false statements to a bank and tax evasion. In a statement released from prison on Thursday, Cohen reiterated his previous comments about Trump's central role in the hush money scheme, referring to the president's company in saying, "I and members of The Trump Organization were directed by Mr. Trump to handle the Stormy Daniels matter; including making the hush money payment." Cohen pleaded guilty last November to separate charges brought by the office of former Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who was investigating contacts between Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia. Cohen admitted he lied to Congress about the extent of contacts between Trump and Russians during the campaign. The judge on Wednesday said there was no reason to keep the documents secret after prosecutors told him that their investigation into the payments had ended.

FBI documents point to Trump role in hush money for porn star Daniels

Documents regarding hush-money payments by Donald Trump's former personal lawyer <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-investigators-sought-ex-trump-lawyer-michael-cohens-emails-months-before-raids-204389&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjQpOyLoL7jAhVc_XMBHQawCkUQFjAAegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2LK3X2NP6vmnlCjjregG1m">Michael Cohen</a> to a porn star and a Playboy model who said they had sexual encounters with the president are set to be made public on Thursday, offering a window into a probe that began last year and landed Cohen in prison.

US District Judge William Pauley in Manhattan on Wednesday ordered that the material, used by prosecutors to obtain a 2018 search warrant for Cohen's home and office, must be unsealed by 11 am (1500 GMT). The judge found there was no reason to keep the documents secret after prosecutors told him that their investigation into the payments had ended.

The end of the investigation suggests that no one else is likely to face criminal charges in connection with the payments.

Cohen, 52, pleaded guilty in August 2018 to violating campaign finance law by directing payments of $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels and $150,000 to Playboy model Karen McDougal to avert a scandal shortly before the 2016 presidential election. Both women have said they had sexual encounters with Trump more than a decade ago, and that the money was meant to buy their silence. Trump has denied the encounters.

"The campaign finance violations discussed in the materials are a matter of national importance," Pauley wrote. "Now that the government's investigation into those violations has concluded, it is time that every American has an opportunity to scrutinize the materials."

Cohen, who was once <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-votes-to-set-aside-impeachment-resolution-against-trump-236765&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjagKOooL7jAhWq4HMBHQpVCykQFjAGegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3GZcRl3yAsoSsachx945Ie">Trump</a>'s self-described "fixer," began serving a three-year prison sentence in May for his campaign finance violations and other crimes, including making false statements to a bank and tax evasion.

Pauley had ordered many of the search warrant material about Cohen's personal business dealings unsealed earlier this year, but allowed the hush-money documents to remain secret because an investigation involving the payments was still in progress.

Cohen pleaded guilty last November to separate charges brought by the office of former Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller, who was investigating contacts between Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia. Cohen admitted he lied to Congress about the extent of contacts between Trump and Russians during the campaign.

Documents regarding hush-money payments by Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen to a porn star and a Playboy model who said they had sexual encounters with the president are set to be made public on Thursday, offering a window into a probe that began last year and landed Cohen in prison.

Documents regarding hush-money payments by Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen to a porn star and a Playboy model who said they had sexual encounters with the president are set to be made public on Thursday, offering a window into a probe that began last year and landed Cohen in prison. US District Judge William Pauley in Manhattan on Wednesday ordered that the material, used by prosecutors to obtain a 2018 search warrant for Cohen's home and office, must be unsealed by 11 am (1500 GMT). The judge found there was no reason to keep the documents secret after prosecutors told him that their investigation into the payments had ended. The end of the investigation suggests that no one else is likely to face criminal charges in connection with the payments. Cohen, 52, pleaded guilty in August 2018 to violating campaign finance law by directing payments of $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels and $150,000 to Playboy model Karen McDougal to avert a scandal shortly before the 2016 presidential election. Both women have said they had sexual encounters with Trump more than a decade ago, and that the money was meant to buy their silence. Trump has denied the encounters. "The campaign finance violations discussed in the materials are a matter of national importance," Pauley wrote. "Now that the government's investigation into those violations has concluded, it is time that every American has an opportunity to scrutinize the materials." Cohen, who was once Trump's self-described "fixer," began serving a three-year prison sentence in May for his campaign finance violations and other crimes, including making false statements to a bank and tax evasion. Pauley had ordered many of the search warrant material about Cohen's personal business dealings unsealed earlier this year, but allowed the hush-money documents to remain secret because an investigation involving the payments was still in progress. Cohen pleaded guilty last November to separate charges brought by the office of former Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller, who was investigating contacts between Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia. Cohen admitted he lied to Congress about the extent of contacts between Trump and Russians during the campaign.

Documents on Trump ex-lawyer's porn star hush payment to be released

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stormy-daniels-lawyer-charged-with-trying-to-extort-20-million-from-nike-205631">Attorney Michael Avenatti</a>, who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with US President Donald Trump said that he was confident he will succeed as he appeared in a court on Monday.

"For nearly 20 years, I've represented Davids versus Goliaths as an attorney and during that entire time period, I've relied upon the justice system and judges in courthouses just like this," Avenatti said.

"I will now spend the time in connection with this case and the case in New York relying on that same justice system that I have subjected myself to, and I am highly confident that when the process plays out that justice will be done," Avenatti added.

The 48-year-old attorney was charged on March 25 with what prosecutors said was an attempt to "shakedown" Nike for over $20 million and is also accused of embezzling a client's funds from a $1.6 million settlement in order to pay his own expenses and debts.

He was later released from jail on a $300,000 personal recognizance bond.

Daniels, 48, who is no longer represented by Avenatti, said she was "saddened but not shocked" by his arrest, adding she fired him after learning he had acted "dishonestly" with her.

(With inputs from agencies)

Attorney Michael Avenatti, who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with US President Donald Trump said that he was confident he will succeed as he appeared in a court on Monday.

Attorney Michael Avenatti, who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with US President Donald Trump said that he was confident he will succeed as he appeared in a court on Monday. "For nearly 20 years, I've represented Davids versus Goliaths as an attorney and during that entire time period, I've relied upon the justice system and judges in courthouses just like this," Avenatti said. "I will now spend the time in connection with this case and the case in New York relying on that same justice system that I have subjected myself to, and I am highly confident that when the process plays out that justice will be done," Avenatti added. The 48-year-old attorney was charged on March 25 with what prosecutors said was an attempt to "shakedown" Nike for over $20 million and is also accused of embezzling a client's funds from a $1.6 million settlement in order to pay his own expenses and debts. He was later released from jail on a $300,000 personal recognizance bond. Daniels, 48, who is no longer represented by Avenatti, said she was "saddened but not shocked" by his arrest, adding she fired him after learning he had acted "dishonestly" with her. (With inputs from agencies)

Highly confident that justice will be done: Stormy Daniels' lawyer

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-authorises-1-bn-for-trumps-border-wall-205641">Pentagon authorises $1 billion for Trump's border wall</a>

The Pentagon has authorised $1 billion for US President's Donald Trump's wall along the US-Mexico border. The authorisation was made by acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-vote-to-seize-control-of-brexit-for-a-day-205630">British MPs vote to seize control of Brexit for a day</a>

British lawmakers wrested control of the parliamentary agenda from the government for a day in a highly unusual bid to find a way through the Brexit impasse after Prime Minister Theresa May's EU divorce deal was rejected again.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/55-indians-happy-with-way-things-are-going-in-the-country-public-satisfaction-dips-15-points-us-survey-205636">55</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/55-indians-happy-with-way-things-are-going-in-the-country-public-satisfaction-dips-15-points-us-survey-205636">%</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/55-indians-happy-with-way-things-are-going-in-the-country-public-satisfaction-dips-15-points-us-survey-205636"> Indians happy with way things are going in the country, public satisfaction dips 15 points: US survey</a>

Fifty-five per cent of Indians are happy with the way things are going in the country even as the public satisfaction level has gone down by 15 points to 70 per cent, according to a Pew survey released late Monday night.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stormy-daniels-lawyer-charged-with-trying-to-extort-20-million-from-nike-205631">Stormy Daniels' lawyer charged with trying to extort $20 million from Nike</a>

Attorney Michael Avenatti, who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with US President Donald Trump, was charged on Monday with what prosecutors said was an attempt to "shakedown" Nike Inc for over $20 million.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/apple-unveils-apple-tv-streaming-service-credit-card-205624">Apple starts streaming service to take on Netflix, Amazon</a>

Apple unveiled a new streaming-video service with original TV-series content called Apple TV+ on Monday, aiming to join the audiovisual streaming market mainly dominated by Netflix, Hulu and Amazon.

Pentagon authorises $1 billion for Trump's border wall The Pentagon has authorised $1 billion for US President's Donald Trump's wall along the US-Mexico border. The authorisation was made by acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan.

Pentagon authorises $1 billion for Trump's border wall The Pentagon has authorised $1 billion for US President's Donald Trump's wall along the US-Mexico border. The authorisation was made by acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan. British MPs vote to seize control of Brexit for a day British lawmakers wrested control of the parliamentary agenda from the government for a day in a highly unusual bid to find a way through the Brexit impasse after Prime Minister Theresa May's EU divorce deal was rejected again. 55% Indians happy with way things are going in the country, public satisfaction dips 15 points: US survey Fifty-five per cent of Indians are happy with the way things are going in the country even as the public satisfaction level has gone down by 15 points to 70 per cent, according to a Pew survey released late Monday night. Stormy Daniels' lawyer charged with trying to extort $20 million from Nike Attorney Michael Avenatti, who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with US President Donald Trump, was charged on Monday with what prosecutors said was an attempt to "shakedown" Nike Inc for over $20 million. Apple starts streaming service to take on Netflix, Amazon Apple unveiled a new streaming-video service with original TV-series content called Apple TV+ on Monday, aiming to join the audiovisual streaming market mainly dominated by Netflix, Hulu and Amazon.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Attorney Michael Avenatti, who represented <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-dismisses-stormy-daniels-hush-money-agreement-case-vs-trump-201920">adult film star Stormy Daniels</a> in her legal battles with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-signs-proclamation-recognising-israeli-sovereignty-over-golan-heights-205595">US President Donald Trump</a>, was charged on Monday with what prosecutors said was an attempt to "shakedown" Nike Inc for over $20 million.

Avenatti, who was also hit with separate embezzlement and fraud charges in US District Court in Los Angeles, was arrested in New York.

A federal magistrate judge ordered Avenatti released on $300,000 bond during a hearing in US District Court in New York. A subdued Avenatti, appeared in the courtroom wearing a dark grey suit, sitting with federal public defenders.

"When due process occurs I will be fully exonerated and justice will prevail," Avenatti said outside the court following the hearing.

Prosecutors said Avenatti and another lawyer, who was not named in court papers, met with Nike's attorneys on March 19 and told them they had a client, a former amateur coach, who had evidence Nike employees had bribed top high school players to play for Nike-sponsored college teams.

The other lawyer, an unnamed co-conspirator, was identified by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, citing sources, as high-profile Los Angeles attorney and CNN contributor Mark Geragos.

Geragos did not respond to a request by Reuters for comment. A spokeswoman for CNN said Geragos was no longer with the network.

According to the criminal complaint, Avenatti told Nike he would go public unless it paid his client $1.5 million and hired him and the other lawyer to conduct an internal investigation for between $15 million and $25 million.

Avenatti also offered to accept a $22.5 million payment for his silence, prosecutors said.

A former executive at Nike rival athletic shoe maker Adidas was recently convicted in federal court in Manhattan of participating in a similar scheme, part of a sweeping probe by prosecutors of corruption surrounding the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The case has ensnared several prominent basketball coaches.

In one call, Avenatti threatened, "I'll go take ten billion dollars off your client's market cap ... I'm not fucking around," according to the complaint.

Geragos, who has represented celebrities such as Michael Jackson and Winona Ryder, is defending the actor Jussie Smollett, who is charged with falsely reporting he was the victim of a racially motivated attack in Chicago.

It was not clear why Geragos has not been charged in the Nike case.

"Old-fashioned shakedown''

The charges came shortly after Avenatti said on Twitter he would hold a news conference on Tuesday to reveal "a major high school/college basketball scandal" reaching "the highest levels of Nike."

"A suit and tie does not mask the fact that, at its core, this was an old-fashioned shakedown," Geoffrey Berman, the US attorney in Manhattan, told a news conference.

Nike said in a statement it "will not be extorted" and alerted investigators to Avenatti's demands immediately.

Federal prosecutors in California unveiled separate charges against Avenatti on Monday, accusing him of misusing a client's $1.6 million settlement to pay for his own expenses as well as those for his coffee business.

He was also charged with defrauding a Mississippi bank of $4.1 million in loans by submitting false tax returns for 2011-2013 that inflated his income.

Avenatti faces up to 30 years in prison on the most serious charge in California and up to 20 years for the top charge in New York.

He gained international notoriety for representing Daniels, the porn star whom Trump is accused of paying off during the 2016 presidential campaign to keep quiet about an alleged affair. Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.

Daniels, 48, who is no longer represented by Avenatti, said she was "saddened but not shocked" by his arrest, adding she fired him after learning he had acted "dishonestly" with her.

Attorney Michael Avenatti, who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with US President Donald Trump, was charged on Monday with what prosecutors said was an attempt to "shakedown" Nike Inc for over $20 million.

Attorney Michael Avenatti, who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with US President Donald Trump, was charged on Monday with what prosecutors said was an attempt to "shakedown" Nike Inc for over $20 million. Avenatti, who was also hit with separate embezzlement and fraud charges in US District Court in Los Angeles, was arrested in New York. A federal magistrate judge ordered Avenatti released on $300,000 bond during a hearing in US District Court in New York. A subdued Avenatti, appeared in the courtroom wearing a dark grey suit, sitting with federal public defenders. "When due process occurs I will be fully exonerated and justice will prevail," Avenatti said outside the court following the hearing. Prosecutors said Avenatti and another lawyer, who was not named in court papers, met with Nike's attorneys on March 19 and told them they had a client, a former amateur coach, who had evidence Nike employees had bribed top high school players to play for Nike-sponsored college teams. The other lawyer, an unnamed co-conspirator, was identified by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, citing sources, as high-profile Los Angeles attorney and CNN contributor Mark Geragos. Geragos did not respond to a request by Reuters for comment. A spokeswoman for CNN said Geragos was no longer with the network. According to the criminal complaint, Avenatti told Nike he would go public unless it paid his client $1.5 million and hired him and the other lawyer to conduct an internal investigation for between $15 million and $25 million. Avenatti also offered to accept a $22.5 million payment for his silence, prosecutors said. A former executive at Nike rival athletic shoe maker Adidas was recently convicted in federal court in Manhattan of participating in a similar scheme, part of a sweeping probe by prosecutors of corruption surrounding the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The case has ensnared several prominent basketball coaches. In one call, Avenatti threatened, "I'll go take ten billion dollars off your client's market cap ... I'm not fucking around," according to the complaint. Geragos, who has represented celebrities such as Michael Jackson and Winona Ryder, is defending the actor Jussie Smollett, who is charged with falsely reporting he was the victim of a racially motivated attack in Chicago. It was not clear why Geragos has not been charged in the Nike case. "Old-fashioned shakedown'' The charges came shortly after Avenatti said on Twitter he would hold a news conference on Tuesday to reveal "a major high school/college basketball scandal" reaching "the highest levels of Nike." "A suit and tie does not mask the fact that, at its core, this was an old-fashioned shakedown," Geoffrey Berman, the US attorney in Manhattan, told a news conference. Nike said in a statement it "will not be extorted" and alerted investigators to Avenatti's demands immediately. Federal prosecutors in California unveiled separate charges against Avenatti on Monday, accusing him of misusing a client's $1.6 million settlement to pay for his own expenses as well as those for his coffee business. He was also charged with defrauding a Mississippi bank of $4.1 million in loans by submitting false tax returns for 2011-2013 that inflated his income. Avenatti faces up to 30 years in prison on the most serious charge in California and up to 20 years for the top charge in New York. He gained international notoriety for representing Daniels, the porn star whom Trump is accused of paying off during the 2016 presidential campaign to keep quiet about an alleged affair. Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. Daniels, 48, who is no longer represented by Avenatti, said she was "saddened but not shocked" by his arrest, adding she fired him after learning he had acted "dishonestly" with her.

Stormy Daniels' lawyer charged with trying to extort $20 million from Nike

Cleared by Mueller, Trump still faces some ongoing investigations & lawsuits

A federal judge in Los Angeles on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit brought by adult-film actress Stormy Daniels to end a hush-money agreement she had with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, court papers showed.

US&nbsp;District Judge James Otero dismissed the lawsuit because Trump and his former lawyer Michael Cohen have agreed not to enforce the nondisclosure agreement against Daniels, court documents showed.

"The Court specifically found that Stormy received everything she asked for in the lawsuit - she won," said Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, in a Twitter post.

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, filed a lawsuit in March 2018 to rescind a nondisclosure agreement that kept her from discussing her alleged 2006 sexual relationship with Trump in the final weeks before the 2016 US&nbsp;presidential election.

Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels.

Cohen has said the agreement, under which Daniels was paid $130,000, was struck to help Trump capture the White House.

In his ruling, Otero sent the lawsuit back to California Superior Court, essentially ending the case. He said the case "lacks subject matter jurisdiction."

The nondisclosure agreement did not prevent Daniels from speaking to news media, including CBS' "60 Minutes," or releasing a memoir, "Full Disclosure."

"More than a year ago when I was being threatened with a 20 million lawsuit, I asked a judge to toss out this illegal NDA. Glad I stood my ground &amp; kept fighting," Daniels tweeted after the ruling was made public.

In October, Otero dismissed Daniels’s defamation lawsuit against Trump and ordered her to pay his attorney’s fees. He said in that ruling that a tweet the president had written referring to her was protected by free-speech laws.

A federal judge in Los Angeles on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit brought by adult-film actress Stormy Daniels to end a hush-money agreement she had with US President Donald Trump, court papers showed.

A federal judge in Los Angeles on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit brought by adult-film actress Stormy Daniels to end a hush-money agreement she had with US President Donald Trump, court papers showed. US District Judge James Otero dismissed the lawsuit because Trump and his former lawyer Michael Cohen have agreed not to enforce the nondisclosure agreement against Daniels, court documents showed. "The Court specifically found that Stormy received everything she asked for in the lawsuit - she won," said Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, in a Twitter post. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, filed a lawsuit in March 2018 to rescind a nondisclosure agreement that kept her from discussing her alleged 2006 sexual relationship with Trump in the final weeks before the 2016 US presidential election. Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels. Cohen has said the agreement, under which Daniels was paid $130,000, was struck to help Trump capture the White House. In his ruling, Otero sent the lawsuit back to California Superior Court, essentially ending the case. He said the case "lacks subject matter jurisdiction." The nondisclosure agreement did not prevent Daniels from speaking to news media, including CBS' "60 Minutes," or releasing a memoir, "Full Disclosure." "More than a year ago when I was being threatened with a 20 million lawsuit, I asked a judge to toss out this illegal NDA. Glad I stood my ground & kept fighting," Daniels tweeted after the ruling was made public. In October, Otero dismissed Daniels’s defamation lawsuit against Trump and ordered her to pay his attorney’s fees. He said in that ruling that a tweet the president had written referring to her was protected by free-speech laws.

US judge dismisses Stormy Daniels' hush-money agreement case vs Trump

Michael Cohen, the former personal lawyer of US President Donald Trump, on Thursday, sued the Trump Organisation, saying it reneged on its obligation to reimburse him for millions of dollars of legal fees and costs related to his work.

In a complaint filed in the New York state supreme court in Manhattan, Cohen said the Trump Organisation stopped paying him last May after it became clear he would <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/my-loyalty-to-donald-trump-has-cost-me-everything-says-former-lawyer-michael-cohen-in-congressional-testimony-200137">cooperate with various probes into his work</a>.

These include Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian influence in the 2016 US presidential election, as well as multiple congressional probes.

Cohen said the Trump Organisation owes him at least $3.8 million, and its failure to pay breached a reimbursement agreement that predated his cooperation.

The Trump Organization did not respond to requests for comment.

Rudolph Giuliani, an adviser to Trump and former New York City mayor, suggested in an interview that Cohen was owed nothing.

"You’re getting in trouble because you work for me, you're getting reimbursed," Giuliani said. "You're getting in trouble for your own stuff, I can't reimburse you."

Thursday's lawsuit marks a further break for Cohen, Trump's longtime "fixer," from his former boss.

It came as Cohen, 52, prepares this spring to begin a three-year prison term, following his guilty plea to campaign finance violations.

These included "hush money" payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who both said they had sexual encounters with Trump.

The president has denied their claims. He has also said his campaign did not collude with Moscow.

According to the complaint, Cohen and the Trump Organisation entered the July 2017 reimbursement agreement when they were pursuing a "joint defense" to various investigations.

The organisation reaffirmed its payment obligations in December 2017 after Cohen complained to Trump's adult sons Donald Jr. and Eric, who both worked there, about "repeated delays," according to the complaint.

Cohen said he has employed at least seven law firms in the last year on matters related to Trump.

He said these include two lawsuits by Daniels, the New York attorney general's lawsuit concerning Trump's namesake charity, the Mueller and congressional probes, and his criminal case.

The alleged missed reimbursements include $1.9 million for legal fees and costs, plus another $1.9 million that Cohen owes in his criminal case.

Cohen this week completed meetings with congressional investigators looking into Trump's activities.

Testifying on Feb. 27 before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Cohen called Trump a "con man" and "cheat," but offered no direct evidence that Trump or his campaign colluded with Moscow in the 2016 election.

The case is Cohen v Trump Organization LLC, New York State Supreme Court, New York County, No. 651377/2019.

Michael Cohen, the former personal lawyer of US President Donald Trump, on Thursday, sued the Trump Organisation, saying it reneged on its obligation to reimburse him for millions of dollars of legal fees and costs related to his work.

Michael Cohen, the former personal lawyer of US President Donald Trump, on Thursday, sued the Trump Organisation, saying it reneged on its obligation to reimburse him for millions of dollars of legal fees and costs related to his work. In a complaint filed in the New York state supreme court in Manhattan, Cohen said the Trump Organisation stopped paying him last May after it became clear he would cooperate with various probes into his work. These include Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian influence in the 2016 US presidential election, as well as multiple congressional probes. Cohen said the Trump Organisation owes him at least $3.8 million, and its failure to pay breached a reimbursement agreement that predated his cooperation. The Trump Organization did not respond to requests for comment. Rudolph Giuliani, an adviser to Trump and former New York City mayor, suggested in an interview that Cohen was owed nothing. "You’re getting in trouble because you work for me, you're getting reimbursed," Giuliani said. "You're getting in trouble for your own stuff, I can't reimburse you." Thursday's lawsuit marks a further break for Cohen, Trump's longtime "fixer," from his former boss. It came as Cohen, 52, prepares this spring to begin a three-year prison term, following his guilty plea to campaign finance violations. These included "hush money" payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who both said they had sexual encounters with Trump. The president has denied their claims. He has also said his campaign did not collude with Moscow. According to the complaint, Cohen and the Trump Organisation entered the July 2017 reimbursement agreement when they were pursuing a "joint defense" to various investigations. The organisation reaffirmed its payment obligations in December 2017 after Cohen complained to Trump's adult sons Donald Jr. and Eric, who both worked there, about "repeated delays," according to the complaint. Cohen said he has employed at least seven law firms in the last year on matters related to Trump. He said these include two lawsuits by Daniels, the New York attorney general's lawsuit concerning Trump's namesake charity, the Mueller and congressional probes, and his criminal case. The alleged missed reimbursements include $1.9 million for legal fees and costs, plus another $1.9 million that Cohen owes in his criminal case. Cohen this week completed meetings with congressional investigators looking into Trump's activities. Testifying on Feb. 27 before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Cohen called Trump a "con man" and "cheat," but offered no direct evidence that Trump or his campaign colluded with Moscow in the 2016 election. The case is Cohen v Trump Organization LLC, New York State Supreme Court, New York County, No. 651377/2019.

Michael Cohen sues Trump Organisation for unpaid legal fees

Ohio police officers were politically motivated when they arrested Stormy Daniels, the porn star who has described having an affair with President Donald Trump, at a strip club last year, the actress said in a lawsuit on Monday.

The Columbus vice unit officers who arrested Daniels on July 12, 2018, were registered Republicans as is the president, Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, said in her lawsuit filed in federal court in Ohio.

"Defendant officers believed that Ms Clifford was damaging President Trump and they thereafter entered into a conspiracy to arrest her during her performance in Columbus in retaliation for the public statements she had made regarding (Trump)," the suit said.

The legal action against the officers could bring to light further details about the circumstances of Daniels arrest, which made headlines at the time.

Columbus police had accused Daniels of committing a misdemeanour sex offence while performing at the club Sirens by touching three customers who were undercover vice detectives.

The charge was dropped hours later. Daniels had committed no crime because she did not perform regularly at the club, as required under the law, a city attorney said at the time.

The Columbus Division of Police launched an internal investigation soon after the incident.

"The Columbus Division of Police internal affairs bureau continues its investigation, therefore it would be inappropriate for us to comment on this matter at this time," the division said in a statement about the lawsuit.

The division, in Ohio's state capital, was not named as a defendant in Daniels` lawsuit, which accused the officers of violating her civil rights.

A representative for the police union for the officers could not immediately be reached for comment.

Daniels sued Trump for defamation in March 2018, before her arrest, and was seeking release from a non-disclosure agreement she signed before the 2016 presidential election to remain silent about the affair she said she had with Trump.

Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels, saying she was paid to stop "false and extortionist accusations."

A federal judge in Los Angeles dismissed Daniels` defamation lawsuit last year.

Daniels` attorney, Michael Avenatti, has described her arrest as a politically motivated set-up since the day it happened.

"Here in America, unlike in Russia, we don`t arrest citizens for political purposes in order to silence them," Avenatti said in a statement on Monday.

Ohio police officers were politically motivated when they arrested Stormy Daniels, the porn star who has described having an affair with President Donald Trump, at a strip club last year, the actress said in a lawsuit on Monday.

Ohio police officers were politically motivated when they arrested Stormy Daniels, the porn star who has described having an affair with President Donald Trump, at a strip club last year, the actress said in a lawsuit on Monday. The Columbus vice unit officers who arrested Daniels on July 12, 2018, were registered Republicans as is the president, Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, said in her lawsuit filed in federal court in Ohio. "Defendant officers believed that Ms Clifford was damaging President Trump and they thereafter entered into a conspiracy to arrest her during her performance in Columbus in retaliation for the public statements she had made regarding (Trump)," the suit said. The legal action against the officers could bring to light further details about the circumstances of Daniels arrest, which made headlines at the time. Columbus police had accused Daniels of committing a misdemeanour sex offence while performing at the club Sirens by touching three customers who were undercover vice detectives. The charge was dropped hours later. Daniels had committed no crime because she did not perform regularly at the club, as required under the law, a city attorney said at the time. The Columbus Division of Police launched an internal investigation soon after the incident. "The Columbus Division of Police internal affairs bureau continues its investigation, therefore it would be inappropriate for us to comment on this matter at this time," the division said in a statement about the lawsuit. The division, in Ohio's state capital, was not named as a defendant in Daniels` lawsuit, which accused the officers of violating her civil rights. A representative for the police union for the officers could not immediately be reached for comment. Daniels sued Trump for defamation in March 2018, before her arrest, and was seeking release from a non-disclosure agreement she signed before the 2016 presidential election to remain silent about the affair she said she had with Trump. Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels, saying she was paid to stop "false and extortionist accusations." A federal judge in Los Angeles dismissed Daniels` defamation lawsuit last year. Daniels` attorney, Michael Avenatti, has described her arrest as a politically motivated set-up since the day it happened. "Here in America, unlike in Russia, we don`t arrest citizens for political purposes in order to silence them," Avenatti said in a statement on Monday.

Stormy Daniels sues over Ohio strip club arrest, calling it political

President Donald Trump likely <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/how-ya-like-me-now-tweets-stormy-daniels-after-michael-cohen-pleads-guilty-161064">had a free-speech right to make a Twitter</a> comment disputing allegations by adult film actress Stormy Daniels, a federal judge said on Monday, indicating he was inclined to dismiss her defamation lawsuit against Trump.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/sex-with-trump-may-have-been-least-impressive-id-ever-had-stormy-daniels-166508">Also Read:&nbsp;Sex with Trump 'may have been least impressive I’d ever had', says Stormy Daniels</a>

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford and who has said she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, sued the president for defamation in April in federal court over the tweet.

The lawsuit centres on Daniels' assertion that a man approached her in 2011 in a Las Vegas parking lot and made a veiled threat after she agreed to talk about her alleged encounter with Trump to "In Touch"&nbsp;magazine.

Soon after Daniels released a sketch of the man she said threatened her, Trump, who has denied having an affair with Daniels, disputed her account on Twitter, saying: "A sketch years later about a nonexistent man. A total con job, playing the Fake News Media for Fools (but they know it)!"

Daniels' attorneys said the tweet portrayed her as a liar, but attorneys for Trump asked a federal judge in Los Angeles to dismiss the defamation lawsuit.

"The question is whether the tweet by the president is protected communication or political hyperbole and non-defamatory on its face," US&nbsp;District Judge James Otero said at a hearing on Monday.

Otero cited certain protections from defamation Trump would have under the US&nbsp;Constitution's guarantee of free-speech rights.

"He's a public official, he's president of the United States, so it doesn't get much higher than that," Otero said. "It's free speech by a public official on a matter of public concern."

Otero stopped short of issuing a formal ruling on the request to dismiss the lawsuit.

Michael Avenatti, an attorney for Daniels, told reporters outside court he expected Otero to make a ruling within days, and that he would appeal if the case were dismissed.

The lawsuit was originally filed in New York but was transferred to Otero's court in Los Angeles because he is holding hearings on another lawsuit involving Daniels.

Last month, Trump's longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to violating federal election law by paying Daniels $130,000 not to disclose information harmful to Trump.

The White House, after the plea, denied any wrongdoing by Trump.

President Donald Trump likely had a free-speech right to make a Twitter comment disputing allegations by adult film actress Stormy Daniels, a federal judge said on Monday, indicating he was inclined to dismiss her defamation lawsuit against Trump.

President Donald Trump likely had a free-speech right to make a Twitter comment disputing allegations by adult film actress Stormy Daniels, a federal judge said on Monday, indicating he was inclined to dismiss her defamation lawsuit against Trump. Also Read: Sex with Trump 'may have been least impressive I’d ever had', says Stormy Daniels Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford and who has said she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, sued the president for defamation in April in federal court over the tweet. The lawsuit centres on Daniels' assertion that a man approached her in 2011 in a Las Vegas parking lot and made a veiled threat after she agreed to talk about her alleged encounter with Trump to "In Touch" magazine. Soon after Daniels released a sketch of the man she said threatened her, Trump, who has denied having an affair with Daniels, disputed her account on Twitter, saying: "A sketch years later about a nonexistent man. A total con job, playing the Fake News Media for Fools (but they know it)!" Daniels' attorneys said the tweet portrayed her as a liar, but attorneys for Trump asked a federal judge in Los Angeles to dismiss the defamation lawsuit. "The question is whether the tweet by the president is protected communication or political hyperbole and non-defamatory on its face," US District Judge James Otero said at a hearing on Monday. Otero cited certain protections from defamation Trump would have under the US Constitution's guarantee of free-speech rights. "He's a public official, he's president of the United States, so it doesn't get much higher than that," Otero said. "It's free speech by a public official on a matter of public concern." Otero stopped short of issuing a formal ruling on the request to dismiss the lawsuit. Michael Avenatti, an attorney for Daniels, told reporters outside court he expected Otero to make a ruling within days, and that he would appeal if the case were dismissed. The lawsuit was originally filed in New York but was transferred to Otero's court in Los Angeles because he is holding hearings on another lawsuit involving Daniels. Last month, Trump's longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to violating federal election law by paying Daniels $130,000 not to disclose information harmful to Trump. The White House, after the plea, denied any wrongdoing by Trump.

Judge may dismiss Stormy Daniels defamation lawsuit against Trump

Michael Avenatti, adult actress Stormy Daniels' lawyer, on Tuesday, claimed that US President Donald Trump's attorney Michael Cohen, who had also paid Daniels US $130,000 to keep quiet about her encounter with Trump, has received US $500,000 from a Russian billionaire in months after the 2016 US elections.&nbsp

In a tweet and report released on Tuesday, Daniels' attorney Michael Avenatti said a company controlled by Viktor Vekselberg, a businessman with ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, sent the payment to Cohen. The payments were allegedly made between January and August 2017.

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After significant investigation, we have discovered that Mr. Trump’s atty Mr. Cohen received approximately $500,000 in the mos. after the election from a company controlled by a Russian Oligarc with close ties to Mr. Putin. These monies may have reimbursed the $130k payment.
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelAvenatti/status/993959992762994688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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An attorney for the Renova affiliate, Columbus Nova, said it hired Cohen as a business consultant and that Vekselberg had no involvement in the payments. Columbus Nova is an U.S. investment arm of Renova Group, a conglomerate controlled by Vekselberg. Both Vekselberg and Renova were hit last month by U.S. sanctions for suspected meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and other alleged "malign activity."

AT&T, the telecoms corporation, confirmed it had made payments to Cohen’s firm during 2017 for “insights into understanding the new administration”.

"Essential Consultants was one of several firms we engaged in early 2017 to provide insights into understanding the new administration. They did no legal or lobbying work for us, and the contract ended in December 2017," AT&T said in a statement.

Avenatti also said he discovered four payments of just under $100,000 each by drugmaker Novartis to Essential Consultants, the same company used by Cohen to make payments to Daniels. Novartis, a Swiss-based pharmaceuticals firm, did not dispute that it paid Cohen. 
&nbsp

In a tweet and report released on Tuesday, Daniels' attorney Michael Avenatti said a company controlled by Viktor Vekselberg, a businessman with ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, sent the payment to Cohen

Michael Avenatti, adult actress Stormy Daniels' lawyer, on Tuesday, claimed that US President Donald Trump's attorney Michael Cohen, who had also paid Daniels US $130,000 to keep quiet about her encounter with Trump, has received US $500,000 from a Russian billionaire in months after the 2016 US elections. In a tweet and report released on Tuesday, Daniels' attorney Michael Avenatti said a company controlled by Viktor Vekselberg, a businessman with ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, sent the payment to Cohen. The payments were allegedly made between January and August 2017. After significant investigation, we have discovered that Mr. Trump’s atty Mr. Cohen received approximately $500,000 in the mos. after the election from a company controlled by a Russian Oligarc with close ties to Mr. Putin. These monies may have reimbursed the $130k payment. — Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) May 8, 2018 × An attorney for the Renova affiliate, Columbus Nova, said it hired Cohen as a business consultant and that Vekselberg had no involvement in the payments. Columbus Nova is an U.S. investment arm of Renova Group, a conglomerate controlled by Vekselberg. Both Vekselberg and Renova were hit last month by U.S. sanctions for suspected meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and other alleged "malign activity." AT&T, the telecoms corporation, confirmed it had made payments to Cohen’s firm during 2017 for “insights into understanding the new administration”. "Essential Consultants was one of several firms we engaged in early 2017 to provide insights into understanding the new administration. They did no legal or lobbying work for us, and the contract ended in December 2017," AT&T said in a statement. Avenatti also said he discovered four payments of just under $100,000 each by drugmaker Novartis to Essential Consultants, the same company used by Cohen to make payments to Daniels. Novartis, a Swiss-based pharmaceuticals firm, did not dispute that it paid Cohen.

Stormy Daniels' lawyer alleges big payment to Trump attorney Cohen from Russian oligarch

An attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels today alleged that President Donald Trump and his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani is now "making up" facts and have lost track of the truth.

Michael Avenatti represents Daniels who claims that she had an intimate relationship with Trump years before he was elected president.

And days before the 2016 presidential election, she says she received USD 130,000 from Trump's then personal attorney Michael Cohen to not go public about her relationship with the president.

In the last few days, Trump has acknowledged that he reimbursed Cohen for the USD 130,000 he paid to Daniels.

Avenatti said there is ample evidence to prove that Cohen approached Daniels before the election to keep her mouth shut. The money being given to Daniels was part of the campaign finance, he asserted, which has been denied by Giuliani who is now the personal attorney for Trump.

"There is a significant amount of evidence, there is no question that this had everything to do with the campaign. In fact, if you go back and replay that interview, and that will be done I'm confident, and if you look at the answers, you're going to find an inconsistency with what Rudy Giuliani just told you," Avenatti told ABC News in an interview.

"Early in the interview, he told you it has nothing to do with the campaign, later in the interview you asked him if there was going to be inconsistencies between Michael Cohen's testimony and Donald Trump and he equivocated. He basically said that well it may have had something to do with the campaign, but it also has to do with personal issues. There's no question this had everything to do with the campaign. You could look at the timing associated with the payment," he said.

Avenatti claimed that Trump and Giuliani are now making up things.

"It's an absolute unmitigated disaster for Rudy Giuliani and the president. It's a train wreck. I can't believe that that actually just happened. I mean what we witnessed by Rudy Giuliani may be one of the worst TV appearances by any attorney on behalf of a client in modern times," he said.

"He now expects the American people to believe that he doesn't really know the facts, that as to every key question you asked, he hasn't communicated with the president about it. I mean this guy's all over the map over the last 72 hours on some very simple facts that should be very straightforward," Avenatti said.

"I think it is obvious to the American people that this is a cover-up, that they are making it up as they go along, they don't know what to say because they've lost track of the truth," said the attorney for Daniels.

Avenatti said that Daniels did not approach Cohen, it was the other way round.

"My client was preparing to tell her story, my client did not approach Michael Cohen, did not have anyone approach Michael Cohen, Michael Cohen approached my client in her council in an effort to shut her up in the days before the election," he said, asserting that he can prove that.

"We have evidence that the president knew in the months at least following the campaign, of this payment, certainly knew it long before his statement on Air Force One in April of this year where he effectively stood there and lied to the American people about not knowing anything about this payment. And then, of course, Rudy Giuliani a few days ago goes out and contradicts that," he said.

And days before the 2016 presidential election, she says she received USD 130,000 from Trump's then personal attorney Michael Cohen to not go public about her relationship with the president.

An attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels today alleged that President Donald Trump and his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani is now "making up" facts and have lost track of the truth. Michael Avenatti represents Daniels who claims that she had an intimate relationship with Trump years before he was elected president. And days before the 2016 presidential election, she says she received USD 130,000 from Trump's then personal attorney Michael Cohen to not go public about her relationship with the president. In the last few days, Trump has acknowledged that he reimbursed Cohen for the USD 130,000 he paid to Daniels. Avenatti said there is ample evidence to prove that Cohen approached Daniels before the election to keep her mouth shut. The money being given to Daniels was part of the campaign finance, he asserted, which has been denied by Giuliani who is now the personal attorney for Trump. "There is a significant amount of evidence, there is no question that this had everything to do with the campaign. In fact, if you go back and replay that interview, and that will be done I'm confident, and if you look at the answers, you're going to find an inconsistency with what Rudy Giuliani just told you," Avenatti told ABC News in an interview. "Early in the interview, he told you it has nothing to do with the campaign, later in the interview you asked him if there was going to be inconsistencies between Michael Cohen's testimony and Donald Trump and he equivocated. He basically said that well it may have had something to do with the campaign, but it also has to do with personal issues. There's no question this had everything to do with the campaign. You could look at the timing associated with the payment," he said. Avenatti claimed that Trump and Giuliani are now making up things. "It's an absolute unmitigated disaster for Rudy Giuliani and the president. It's a train wreck. I can't believe that that actually just happened. I mean what we witnessed by Rudy Giuliani may be one of the worst TV appearances by any attorney on behalf of a client in modern times," he said. "He now expects the American people to believe that he doesn't really know the facts, that as to every key question you asked, he hasn't communicated with the president about it. I mean this guy's all over the map over the last 72 hours on some very simple facts that should be very straightforward," Avenatti said. "I think it is obvious to the American people that this is a cover-up, that they are making it up as they go along, they don't know what to say because they've lost track of the truth," said the attorney for Daniels. Avenatti said that Daniels did not approach Cohen, it was the other way round. "My client was preparing to tell her story, my client did not approach Michael Cohen, did not have anyone approach Michael Cohen, Michael Cohen approached my client in her council in an effort to shut her up in the days before the election," he said, asserting that he can prove that. "We have evidence that the president knew in the months at least following the campaign, of this payment, certainly knew it long before his statement on Air Force One in April of this year where he effectively stood there and lied to the American people about not knowing anything about this payment. And then, of course, Rudy Giuliani a few days ago goes out and contradicts that," he said.

Attorney of adult film star accuses Trump team of cover-up

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said on Thursday his lawyer Michael Cohen did not use presidential campaign funds to pay Stormy Daniels as part of a contract he said was aimed at stopping the adult-film star from making "false and extortionist accusations" about an affair.

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"Money from the campaign, or campaign contributions, played no roll (sic) in this transaction," Trump wrote in one of a series of posts on Twitter early on Thursday.

His comments come after former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who joined Trump's legal team last month, said on Wednesday Trump had reimbursed Cohen the $130,000 that was given to Daniels to buy her silence about an alleged affair with the president.

Trump had told reporters on Air Force One last month that he did not know about the payment or the source of the money.

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, has filed two lawsuits against Trump, one to get out of the non-disclosure agreement she signed in October 2016 in exchange for the $130,000, and another for defamation.

Asked about the president's Thursday morning tweets, her lawyer Michael Avenatti told MSNBC the president had opened himself up to another possible lawsuit for defamation.

'Money from the campaign, or campaign contributions, played no roll (sic) in this transaction,' Trump wrote in one of a series of posts on Twitter early on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday his lawyer Michael Cohen did not use presidential campaign funds to pay Stormy Daniels as part of a contract he said was aimed at stopping the adult-film star from making "false and extortionist accusations" about an affair. × "Money from the campaign, or campaign contributions, played no roll (sic) in this transaction," Trump wrote in one of a series of posts on Twitter early on Thursday. His comments come after former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who joined Trump's legal team last month, said on Wednesday Trump had reimbursed Cohen the $130,000 that was given to Daniels to buy her silence about an alleged affair with the president. Trump had told reporters on Air Force One last month that he did not know about the payment or the source of the money. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, has filed two lawsuits against Trump, one to get out of the non-disclosure agreement she signed in October 2016 in exchange for the $130,000, and another for defamation. Asked about the president's Thursday morning tweets, her lawyer Michael Avenatti told MSNBC the president had opened himself up to another possible lawsuit for defamation.

Porn star Stormy Daniels was not paid with campaign money: Trump

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/many-killed-as-bus-catches-fire-in-bihars-motihari-134410">27 killed after bus overturns, catches fire in Bihar's Motihari</a>

At least 27 people died afer a bus overturned and caught fire in Bihar's Motihari district.&nbsp;

The bus reportedly fell into a ditch, after which it caught fire.&nbsp;

The government has announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the families of each of the victims.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-national-film-awards-2018-68-winners-skip-ceremony-janhvi-kapoor-a-r-rahman-attend-134403">National Film Awards: 68 winners skip ceremony because President Kovind does not present all awards</a>

Sixty-eight winners of the National Film Awards skipped the awards ceremony this afternoon in Delhi.&nbsp;

The winners were miffed that President Ram Nath Kovind was handing out only 11 of the National Awards, and that the rest would be handed out by Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/dust-storm-kills-close-to-100-in-uttar-pradesh-rajasthan-134406">Dust storm kills close to 100 in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan</a>

A severe dust storm followed by thunder showers hit parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan overnight, killing nearly 100 people and leaving a trail of destruction.

Houses collapsed and trees and poles were uprooted in the storm that also led to power outages.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-money-for-his-lawyer-cohen-not-from-the-campaign-134417">Porn star</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-money-for-his-lawyer-cohen-not-from-the-campaign-134417"> Stormy Daniels was not paid with campaign money: Trump</a>

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday his lawyer Michael Cohen did not use presidential campaign funds to pay Stormy Daniels as part of a contract he said was aimed at stopping the adult-film star from making "false and extortionist accusations" about an affair.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-45-youth-including-mba-phd-scholar-join-terrorist-ranks-in-2018-134419">Kashmir: 45 youths including MBA, PhD scholar join terrorist ranks in 2018</a>

At least 45 youths from the Kashmir Valley, including an MBA graduate and a PhD scholar, have joined militancy this year till mid-April, according to officials. The unusual surge in numbers has taken the security establishment by surprise.

27 killed after bus overturns, catches fire in Bihar's Motihari At least 27 people died afer a bus overturned and caught fire in Bihar's Motihari district. The bus reportedly fell into a ditch, after which it caught fire. The government has announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the families of each of the victims. National Film Awards: 68 winners skip ceremony because President Kovind does not present all awards Sixty-eight winners of the National Film Awards skipped the awards ceremony this afternoon in Delhi. The winners were miffed that President Ram Nath Kovind was handing out only 11 of the National Awards, and that the rest would be handed out by Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani. Dust storm kills close to 100 in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan A severe dust storm followed by thunder showers hit parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan overnight, killing nearly 100 people and leaving a trail of destruction. Houses collapsed and trees and poles were uprooted in the storm that also led to power outages. Porn star Stormy Daniels was not paid with campaign money: Trump US President Donald Trump said on Thursday his lawyer Michael Cohen did not use presidential campaign funds to pay Stormy Daniels as part of a contract he said was aimed at stopping the adult-film star from making "false and extortionist accusations" about an affair. Kashmir: 45 youths including MBA, PhD scholar join terrorist ranks in 2018 At least 45 youths from the Kashmir Valley, including an MBA graduate and a PhD scholar, have joined militancy this year till mid-April, according to officials. The unusual surge in numbers has taken the security establishment by surprise.

Donald Trump reimbursed his personal attorney Michael Cohen $ 130,000 he had given to the adult-film star Stormy Daniels days before the 2016 election to buy her silence over an alleged affair with the then US presidential candidate, one of the president's lawyers said today.

Rudolph Giuliani, the former New York mayor and a recent addition to President Trump's legal team dealing with the Russian investigation, let out the bombshell detail during an interview on Fox News.

The disclosure contradicts Trump's own firm statement, made on Air Force One last month, that he had no knowledge of his private lawyer Michael Cohen having paid Daniels the&nbsp $130,000 sum.&nbsp

"That money was not campaign&nbspmoney. It's not campaign&nbspmoney. No campaign finance violation," Giuliani said.

He said that the money was funnelled through the law firm and the President repaid him.&nbsp

"He (Trump) paid him back. No campaign finance violations, no crime of any kind. Michael had the discretion to solve these," Giuliani told The Wall Street Journal in another interview.&nbsp

When the daily asked whether the fact that Trump had repaid his lawyer conflicted with the president's previous statements that he was unaware of the payment, Giuliani said it was "not [an] issue".&nbsp

"Cohen was his lawyer and had discretion to settle, as I have had for clients ultimately paying for it," he said.&nbsp

Trump was "probably not aware" of the payment at the time it was made, he said.

The former New York Mayor later told Fox News that Trump repaid Cohen "over several months" by putting him on a "retainer of $ 35,000 when he was doing no work for the president."&nbsp

Daniels' lawyer, Michael Avenatti, said, "This is exactly what we predicted would ultimately be shown. Every American, regardless of their politics, should be outraged."

Asked if Giuliani's admission is evidence of a campaign finance violation, Avenatti simply said, "Yes."

The president has repeatedly denied that he had an affair Daniels, who has described having intimate contact with Trump before he became president.

Giuliani's comments are also in direct contrast to what Cohen has been saying for months that he used his own money to pay the actress.

Cohen is under investigation by the FBI, which raided his home and office last month and seized documents that included information about the payment to Daniels.&nbsp

The hush-money payment to Daniels is reportedly a focus of a federal investigation into Cohen's private finances and business interests. Investigators are likely to examine whether the payment was legal under election campaign finance laws and whether Cohen disclosed the true reason for borrowing the funds.&nbsp

Donald Trump reimbursed his personal attorney Michael Cohen $ 130,000 he had given to the adult-film star Stormy Daniels days before the 2016 election to buy her silence over an alleged affair with the then US presidential candidate, one of the president's lawyers said today

Donald Trump reimbursed his personal attorney Michael Cohen $ 130,000 he had given to the adult-film star Stormy Daniels days before the 2016 election to buy her silence over an alleged affair with the then US presidential candidate, one of the president's lawyers said today. Rudolph Giuliani, the former New York mayor and a recent addition to President Trump's legal team dealing with the Russian investigation, let out the bombshell detail during an interview on Fox News. The disclosure contradicts Trump's own firm statement, made on Air Force One last month, that he had no knowledge of his private lawyer Michael Cohen having paid Daniels the $130,000 sum. "That money was not campaign&nbspmoney. It's not campaign&nbspmoney. No campaign finance violation," Giuliani said. He said that the money was funnelled through the law firm and the President repaid him. "He (Trump) paid him back. No campaign finance violations, no crime of any kind. Michael had the discretion to solve these," Giuliani told The Wall Street Journal in another interview. When the daily asked whether the fact that Trump had repaid his lawyer conflicted with the president's previous statements that he was unaware of the payment, Giuliani said it was "not [an] issue". "Cohen was his lawyer and had discretion to settle, as I have had for clients ultimately paying for it," he said. Trump was "probably not aware" of the payment at the time it was made, he said. The former New York Mayor later told Fox News that Trump repaid Cohen "over several months" by putting him on a "retainer of $ 35,000 when he was doing no work for the president." Daniels' lawyer, Michael Avenatti, said, "This is exactly what we predicted would ultimately be shown. Every American, regardless of their politics, should be outraged." Asked if Giuliani's admission is evidence of a campaign finance violation, Avenatti simply said, "Yes." The president has repeatedly denied that he had an affair Daniels, who has described having intimate contact with Trump before he became president. Giuliani's comments are also in direct contrast to what Cohen has been saying for months that he used his own money to pay the actress. Cohen is under investigation by the FBI, which raided his home and office last month and seized documents that included information about the payment to Daniels. The hush-money payment to Daniels is reportedly a focus of a federal investigation into Cohen's private finances and business interests. Investigators are likely to examine whether the payment was legal under election campaign finance laws and whether Cohen disclosed the true reason for borrowing the funds.

Trump repaid Cohen for Stormy Daniels hush money: Rudolph Giuliani

Adult film actress Stormy Daniels on Monday sued US&nbspPresident Donald Trump for defamation, saying he lied by tweeting that her claim of being threatened if she discussed an alleged sexual encounter with him was a "total con job."

The lawsuit in federal court in Manhattan escalates Daniels' litigation with Trump and his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, who paid her $130,000 before the 2016 US&nbsppresidential election not to talk about the alleged sexual encounter a decade earlier.

Neither Trump's lawyers nor the White House immediately responded to requests for comment. Cohen was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, which seeks compensatory and punitive damages, but faces a separate defamation lawsuit by Daniels.

Trump used Twitter on April 18 to complain about a composite sketch that Daniels' lawyer Michael Avenatti had released the previous day.

That sketch depicted a man Daniels said assailed her in a Las Vegas parking lot soon after she had agreed in May 2011 to work with In Touch magazine on a story about her relationship with Trump.

"A sketch years later about a nonexistent man," Trump wrote. "A total con job, playing the Fake News Media for Fools (but they know it)!"

In her complaint, Daniels said the assailant had urged her to "leave Trump alone" and "forget the story," and after looking at her infant daughter said: "That's a beautiful little girl. It'd be a shame if something happened to her mom."

Daniels said the president knew his tweet was false or made it with reckless disregard for its truth, and falsely accused her of making up the assailant.

"By calling the incident a 'con job' Mr. Trump's statement would be understood to state that Ms. Clifford was fabricating the crime and the existence of the assailant, both of which are prohibited under New York law," Daniels said in her complaint.

Trump presently has 51.4 million Twitter followers.

Not Trump's first defamation case

A Los Angeles judge on Friday put Daniels' lawsuit there against Cohen and Trump to end her non-disclosure agreement on hold for 90 days.

The judge cited the reasonably high likelihood that letting the case continue might threaten Cohen's constitutional right against self-incrimination.

Cohen faces a criminal probe into his business affairs by federal prosecutors in Manhattan, including over the $130,000 payment, which he has called legal.

The Los Angeles case also includes Daniels' claim that Cohen defamed her in a Feb. 13 statement by implying she had lied about her relationship with Trump.

"Just because something isn't true doesn't mean that it can't cause you harm or damage. I will always protect Mr. Trump," Cohen had said.

Daniels sued Trump as an individual, not in his capacity as president, which could pose problems for any defence.

"He'll have to litigate unless he can get a court to agree he has a privilege not to while he's president," said Stephen Burbank, a University of Pennsylvania law professor.

Burbank co-wrote an earlier brief arguing that then-President Bill Clinton was not immune in federal court from private civil lawsuits during his presidency for unofficial acts. The Supreme Court adopted that view in 1997.

Daniels' defamation case is also not the president's first.

Trump is appealing a March 20 decision by a New York state judge in Manhattan that allowed Summer Zervos, a contestant on his former TV show "The Apprentice," to pursue her own defamation case.

Zervos had accused Trump of kissing her against her will and groping her at a meeting about a possible job, and that he defamed her by calling such allegations lies.

Trump has argued that he was immune from that lawsuit.

Daniels has offered a $100,000 reward for information about the man in the sketch.

Daniels sued Trump as an individual, not in his capacity as president, which could pose problems for any defence

Adult film actress Stormy Daniels on Monday sued US&nbspPresident Donald Trump for defamation, saying he lied by tweeting that her claim of being threatened if she discussed an alleged sexual encounter with him was a "total con job." The lawsuit in federal court in Manhattan escalates Daniels' litigation with Trump and his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, who paid her $130,000 before the 2016 US&nbsppresidential election not to talk about the alleged sexual encounter a decade earlier. Neither Trump's lawyers nor the White House immediately responded to requests for comment. Cohen was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, which seeks compensatory and punitive damages, but faces a separate defamation lawsuit by Daniels. Trump used Twitter on April 18 to complain about a composite sketch that Daniels' lawyer Michael Avenatti had released the previous day. That sketch depicted a man Daniels said assailed her in a Las Vegas parking lot soon after she had agreed in May 2011 to work with In Touch magazine on a story about her relationship with Trump. "A sketch years later about a nonexistent man," Trump wrote. "A total con job, playing the Fake News Media for Fools (but they know it)!" In her complaint, Daniels said the assailant had urged her to "leave Trump alone" and "forget the story," and after looking at her infant daughter said: "That's a beautiful little girl. It'd be a shame if something happened to her mom." Daniels said the president knew his tweet was false or made it with reckless disregard for its truth, and falsely accused her of making up the assailant. "By calling the incident a 'con job' Mr. Trump's statement would be understood to state that Ms. Clifford was fabricating the crime and the existence of the assailant, both of which are prohibited under New York law," Daniels said in her complaint. Trump presently has 51.4 million Twitter followers. Not Trump's first defamation case A Los Angeles judge on Friday put Daniels' lawsuit there against Cohen and Trump to end her non-disclosure agreement on hold for 90 days. The judge cited the reasonably high likelihood that letting the case continue might threaten Cohen's constitutional right against self-incrimination. Cohen faces a criminal probe into his business affairs by federal prosecutors in Manhattan, including over the $130,000 payment, which he has called legal. The Los Angeles case also includes Daniels' claim that Cohen defamed her in a Feb. 13 statement by implying she had lied about her relationship with Trump. "Just because something isn't true doesn't mean that it can't cause you harm or damage. I will always protect Mr. Trump," Cohen had said. Daniels sued Trump as an individual, not in his capacity as president, which could pose problems for any defence. "He'll have to litigate unless he can get a court to agree he has a privilege not to while he's president," said Stephen Burbank, a University of Pennsylvania law professor. Burbank co-wrote an earlier brief arguing that then-President Bill Clinton was not immune in federal court from private civil lawsuits during his presidency for unofficial acts. The Supreme Court adopted that view in 1997. Daniels' defamation case is also not the president's first. Trump is appealing a March 20 decision by a New York state judge in Manhattan that allowed Summer Zervos, a contestant on his former TV show "The Apprentice," to pursue her own defamation case. Zervos had accused Trump of kissing her against her will and groping her at a meeting about a possible job, and that he defamed her by calling such allegations lies. Trump has argued that he was immune from that lawsuit. Daniels has offered a $100,000 reward for information about the man in the sketch.

Stormy Daniels sues Donald Trump for defamation over 'con job' tweet

California judge James Otero temporarily put on hold pornstar Stormy Daniels' lawsuit against US President Donald Trump's personal attorney Michael Cohen's for 90 days.&nbsp;

The move comes after Cohen's house was raided by the FBI following which he argued that his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination may be jeopardized if the proceedings weren't delayed.

The FBI procured&nbsp;records related to Daniels after raiding Cohen's hotel room, home and office earlier this month.

Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, now plans to file an appeal against the delay.

"While we certainly respect Judge Otero's 90-day stay order based on Mr Cohen's pleading of the 5th, we do not agree with it. We will likely be filing an immediate appeal to the Ninth Circuit early next week. Justice delayed is justice denied," Avenatti wrote on Twitter.

The lawsuit will now be heard on July 27.

Daniels emerges at the centre of a controversy that involves US President Donald Trump. She publicly claimed a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump, however, Trump and his administration have repeatedly rubbished relations with the porn star.

Daniels also claimed Cohen orchestrated a payment to keep her quiet during the election. Daniels and Trump have been locked in a legal battle earlier this month. Daniels seeks to invalidate a nondisclosure agreement she and Cohen had signed more than a decade ago. Daniels, in her lawsuit, asks whether the hush agreement was legal, and is looking at whether Trump consented to it. She maintains that the deal is not valid because the US President "never signed it himself".

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, now plans to file an appeal against the delay

California judge James Otero temporarily put on hold pornstar Stormy Daniels' lawsuit against US President Donald Trump's personal attorney Michael Cohen's for 90 days. The move comes after Cohen's house was raided by the FBI following which he argued that his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination may be jeopardized if the proceedings weren't delayed. The FBI procured records related to Daniels after raiding Cohen's hotel room, home and office earlier this month. Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, now plans to file an appeal against the delay. "While we certainly respect Judge Otero's 90-day stay order based on Mr Cohen's pleading of the 5th, we do not agree with it. We will likely be filing an immediate appeal to the Ninth Circuit early next week. Justice delayed is justice denied," Avenatti wrote on Twitter. The lawsuit will now be heard on July 27. Daniels emerges at the centre of a controversy that involves US President Donald Trump. She publicly claimed a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump, however, Trump and his administration have repeatedly rubbished relations with the porn star. Daniels also claimed Cohen orchestrated a payment to keep her quiet during the election. Daniels and Trump have been locked in a legal battle earlier this month. Daniels seeks to invalidate a nondisclosure agreement she and Cohen had signed more than a decade ago. Daniels, in her lawsuit, asks whether the hush agreement was legal, and is looking at whether Trump consented to it. She maintains that the deal is not valid because the US President "never signed it himself". (With inputs from agencies)

Stormy Daniels' lawsuit against Trump's lawyer put on hold for 90 days

President Donald Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen said on Wednesday he would assert his right under the U.S. Constitution to avoid self-incrimination in a lawsuit filed by adult-film star Stormy Daniels, who says she had an affair with Trump.

In a filing in Los Angeles federal court, Cohen said he decided to assert his constitutional right after the FBI raided his home, office and hotel room two weeks ago.

"Based on the advice of counsel, I will assert my 5th Amendment rights in connection with all proceedings in this case due to the ongoing criminal investigation by the FBI and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York," Cohen wrote in the filing.

The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that no individual can be "compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself."

By asserting that right, Cohen can avoid revealing information in Daniels' civil lawsuit that could aid federal investigators in the criminal probe of his business dealings.

Last month, Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, sued Trump and Cohen to invalidate a non-disclosure agreement related to a $130,000 payment she received from Cohen before the 2016 election to keep quiet about her alleged one-night stand with Trump a decade earlier.

The probe of Cohen's business dealings, and the FBI's search of his office that uncovered information related to the $130,000 payment, started with a referral from Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign.

Russia denies meddling in the election and Trump has denied any collusion.

Lawyers for Cohen and Trump have asked for the Daniels case to be put on hold for 90 days. At a hearing last week, U.S. District Judge James Otero said he needed more time to review the request for a stay.

Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels or any knowledge of the $130,000 payment.

In a filing in Los Angeles federal court, Cohen said he decided to assert his constitutional right after the FBI raided his home, office and hotel room two weeks ago.

President Donald Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen said on Wednesday he would assert his right under the U.S. Constitution to avoid self-incrimination in a lawsuit filed by adult-film star Stormy Daniels, who says she had an affair with Trump. In a filing in Los Angeles federal court, Cohen said he decided to assert his constitutional right after the FBI raided his home, office and hotel room two weeks ago. "Based on the advice of counsel, I will assert my 5th Amendment rights in connection with all proceedings in this case due to the ongoing criminal investigation by the FBI and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York," Cohen wrote in the filing. The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that no individual can be "compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself." By asserting that right, Cohen can avoid revealing information in Daniels' civil lawsuit that could aid federal investigators in the criminal probe of his business dealings. Last month, Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, sued Trump and Cohen to invalidate a non-disclosure agreement related to a $130,000 payment she received from Cohen before the 2016 election to keep quiet about her alleged one-night stand with Trump a decade earlier. The probe of Cohen's business dealings, and the FBI's search of his office that uncovered information related to the $130,000 payment, started with a referral from Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign. Russia denies meddling in the election and Trump has denied any collusion. Lawyers for Cohen and Trump have asked for the Daniels case to be put on hold for 90 days. At a hearing last week, U.S. District Judge James Otero said he needed more time to review the request for a stay. Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels or any knowledge of the $130,000 payment.

To avoid self-incrimination, Trump lawyer Cohen will invoke 5th Amendment in Stormy Daniels case

Adult-film actress Stormy Daniels on Tuesday released a sketch of a man she said warned her in 2011 to stop discussing her claims she had a sexual encounter with US&nbspPresident Donald Trump, while her lawyer offered a $100,000 reward for information about the man.

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, is fighting a 2016 non-disclosure agreement arranged by Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, in which she got $130,000 to keep quiet about her claim that she had sex with Trump a decade earlier, something the US&nbsppresident has denied.

During an appearance on the daytime ABC television talk show "The View" she was asked why she was speaking out.

"I'm tired of being threatened," Daniels responded. "I'm done. I'm sorry, I'm done being bullied."

Daniels repeated her story, first related on CBS' "60 Minutes" last month, that she was on her way to a fitness class with her child when an unknown man approached her in a Las Vegas parking lot in 2011. He warned her to "leave Trump alone. Forget the story", she said in that interview.

On Tuesday, her lawyer, Michael Avenatti, asked the public for help identifying the man and offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to his identification.

The picture they released shows a lightly bearded man in his 20s or 30s with backswept hair and wearing a hoodie. Daniels said she thought he looked like somebody's husband and described him as "sort of handsome."

She said she did not tell police about the threat at the time because she was afraid and did not want to reveal the alleged encounter with Trump.

"I didn't tell my husband at the time, I was embarrassed," she said. "I didn't want him to think I was a bad mom or that I put my daughter in danger."

Trump's lawyers are seeking at least $20 million in damages from Daniels for multiple violations of a nondisclosure agreement.

Daniels appearance on the ABC show came a day after she attended a hearing in Manhattan federal court where Cohen sought to limit the ability of federal prosecutors to review the documents seized in April 9 raids on his home, office and hotel room.

The raids stem in part from a separate probe into possible collusion between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia. A source familiar with the raids said the FBI agents were also looking for information on payments to Daniels among materials related to Cohen's other business dealings.

Daniels acknowledged the publicity the whole episode has brought her and said that, while she was making more money, her expenses were climbing as well. She has had to retain a team of bodyguards, as well as a tutor for her daughter.

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, is fighting a 2016 non-disclosure agreement arranged by Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, in which she got $130,000 to keep quiet about her claim that she had sex with Trump a decade earlier, something the US president has denied.

Adult-film actress Stormy Daniels on Tuesday released a sketch of a man she said warned her in 2011 to stop discussing her claims she had a sexual encounter with US&nbspPresident Donald Trump, while her lawyer offered a $100,000 reward for information about the man. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, is fighting a 2016 non-disclosure agreement arranged by Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, in which she got $130,000 to keep quiet about her claim that she had sex with Trump a decade earlier, something the US&nbsppresident has denied. During an appearance on the daytime ABC television talk show "The View" she was asked why she was speaking out. "I'm tired of being threatened," Daniels responded. "I'm done. I'm sorry, I'm done being bullied." Daniels repeated her story, first related on CBS' "60 Minutes" last month, that she was on her way to a fitness class with her child when an unknown man approached her in a Las Vegas parking lot in 2011. He warned her to "leave Trump alone. Forget the story", she said in that interview. On Tuesday, her lawyer, Michael Avenatti, asked the public for help identifying the man and offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to his identification. The picture they released shows a lightly bearded man in his 20s or 30s with backswept hair and wearing a hoodie. Daniels said she thought he looked like somebody's husband and described him as "sort of handsome." She said she did not tell police about the threat at the time because she was afraid and did not want to reveal the alleged encounter with Trump. "I didn't tell my husband at the time, I was embarrassed," she said. "I didn't want him to think I was a bad mom or that I put my daughter in danger." Trump's lawyers are seeking at least $20 million in damages from Daniels for multiple violations of a nondisclosure agreement. Daniels appearance on the ABC show came a day after she attended a hearing in Manhattan federal court where Cohen sought to limit the ability of federal prosecutors to review the documents seized in April 9 raids on his home, office and hotel room. The raids stem in part from a separate probe into possible collusion between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia. A source familiar with the raids said the FBI agents were also looking for information on payments to Daniels among materials related to Cohen's other business dealings. Daniels acknowledged the publicity the whole episode has brought her and said that, while she was making more money, her expenses were climbing as well. She has had to retain a team of bodyguards, as well as a tutor for her daughter.

Stormy Daniels' lawyer offers $100,000 to identify man she says threatened her

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